12 Thoughtful Gifts for Mom

If you're like most, childhood gifts to mom involved macaroni, macrame, and possibly glitter. Now that you're fully grown, it's time to graduate to something just a little nicer. Whether your mom likes beauty products or tech gifts, we've rounded up some of the best presents to help her rest, relax, and enjoy the year ahead in great style.

Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a small percentage of any sale. But we only get commission on items you buy and don’t return, so we’re only happy if you’re happy. Thanks for helping us pay the bills!

If mom's a foodie who likes things fast and low-fat, she'll love this pressure cooker, steamer, and air fryer in one. The easy-to-clean, ceramic-coated 4-quart Cook & Crisp basket can handle a 5-pound chicken or three pounds of french fries—not to mention an almost unlimited variety of other foods—and finish them all to perfection. Buy it for her and then invite yourself over for dinner.

Weighted blankets are all the rage, so why not give the sleep mask version? The microbeads in the nodpod provide a gentle pressure that reduces anxiety while promoting deep sleep. The scalloped design features a notch at one end that the wearer slips the other end through, which allows the mask to stay on in any position, or if they're the type who tends to toss and turn. (If Mom wants a looser experience, she can also just drape it across her head before falling asleep—the weight makes it more likely to stay in place than the average eye pillow.) The machine-washable Jersey cotton side is cooling, while the fleece side is warm and cuddly.

Sometimes it seems like there are almost as many tea varieties in the world as there are tea drinkers. But since tea can be a little on the expensive side, not everyone wants to splurge on a whole box or tin just to try something new. Enter Sips by. After mom (or anyone else) takes a quiz to develop their own "tea profile," they can receive a monthly box that includes four premium teas chosen from over 100 brands around the world. Each box makes at least 15 cups, and includes biodegradable filters for loose-leaf teas. It's a great way to try niche brands or unusual tastes—and who knows, mom might end up with a new favorite.

This gift set is a great way for mom's feet to get some pampering with minimal effort on her part. She can just rub in the rosemary-and-mint-scented cream, slip on the fuzzy socks, and drift off to moisturizing heaven. Reviewers say the socks are just the right weight to sleep in, and they're machine washable, too. Even a shorter session—maybe while watching TV—will help mom's feet make it through the winter in tip-top condition.

This handsome black-and-gold recipe box is perfect for moms who like to keep their cooking ideas organized analog-style. The set includes a dozen letterpress dividers and 24 recipe cards printed with charming black spoons on the top. If mom's recipe box hasn't seen an update since the 1970s, she's sure to appreciate this charming gift.

Chunky knitted blankets are on trend, so why not give mom a super-luxurious version in Merino wool? Made-to-order, hand-knit, and available in a dozen colors from vanilla to lime, they'll keep her toasty—and stylish—for many winters to come.

7. Amazon Home Cleaning

iStock.com/Tatomm

Ultimately, love is saying "I will do the dishes for you. Or at least, I will hire someone to do them for you." Amazon Home Cleaning makes it a snap to book professional house cleaners who are background-checked and licensed—they'll even stick to eco-friendly products if that's what mom prefers. They'll dust, mop, clean the tub and toilet, and even change the sheets. Because these days, she probably has better things to do.

Does mom have a hoard of precious family photos on old camera film? Help her upgrade to the 21st century with this digital film scanner, which converts 35mm, 126, 110, Super 8, and 8mm negatives into JPEGs. Easy to use and with built-in color correction, she can just scan and save to a microSD card, then store, print, or—maybe the most likely scenario—share on Facebook.

9. Dry Baby Bodysuit

The Dry Baby Bodysuit in Starry Night

Amazon

If you're looking for a gift for a new mom, these water-, stain-, and odor-repellant bodysuits from Dry Baby are both adorable and practical. They're developed by a former NASA scientist and made in the USA from 100 percent cotton, with no fluorocarbons or other weird additives that can irritate a baby's skin. Plus, this bodysuit has a high neckline to prevent spills and drool from landing on skin, and it features a super-cute stargazing design.

10. Amazon Basics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven

The AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven in red

Amazon

Le Creuset enameled dutch ovens are seriously covetable, but the hefty price tag can put them out of reach. Fortunately, Amazon sells its own well-reviewed version of the kitchenware starting at just $40. It's got a similar look to the Le Creuset, and is just as handy for mom's stews, soups, and braises.

Night sweats are an uncomfortable fact of life for women of a certain age, but it's not something many fashion brands take into account. The folks at Lusomé designed their ultrasoft nightwear to wick away moisture and bacteria by commissioning a unique material from an activewear fabric producer. Lab tests show it's 10 times more effective at eliminating perspiration and bacteria than its nearest competitor, but the menswear-inspired designs still look great. Complete the set with the Donna Relaxed Fit Sleep Pant for a mom who stays cool as a cucumber during the night.

The Fresh Sugar lip line is a cult favorite both for its smoothing properties and lemony scent—it seriously works magic on dried-out lips in a way many brands can't match. This balm smooths out fine lines, plumps, and helps improve lip definition, which can fade a little with age. The sheer pink tint is subtle and lovely on its own, although there's also a clear version that works well layered with lipstick. A good stocking stuffer for a mom who's always going for her chapstick.

This Smart Accessory Converts Your Instant Pot Into an Air Fryer

If you can make a recipe in a slow cooker, Dutch oven, or rice cooker, you can likely adapt it for an Instant Pot. Now, this all-in-one cooker can be converted into an air fryer with one handy accessory.

This Instant Pot air fryer lid—currently available on Amazon for $80—adds six new cooking functions to your 6-quart Instant Pot. You can select the air fry setting to get food hot and crispy fast, using as little as 2 tablespoons of oil. Other options include roast, bake, broil, dehydrate, and reheat.

Many dishes you would prepare in the oven or on the stovetop can be made in your Instant Pot when you switch out the lids. Chicken wings, French fries, and onion rings are just a few of the possibilities mentioned in the product description. And if you're used to frying being a hot, arduous process, this lid works without consuming a ton of energy or heating up your kitchen.

The lid comes with a multi-level air fry basket, a broiling and dehydrating tray, and a protective pad and storage cover. Check it out on Amazon.

For more clever ways to use your Instant Pot, take a look at these recipes.

At Mental Floss, we only write about the products we love and want to share with our readers, so all products are chosen independently by our editors. Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a percentage of any sale made from the links on this page. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication.

15 Products to Help You Stay Fit at Home

Staying healthy doesn’t have to mean spending $50 or more a month on a pricey gym membership or paying a small fortune on free weights and squat racks that will only collect dust in your garage. There are plenty of ways to get in better shape at home with the help of some simple resistance bands, a streaming yoga class subscription, or a wearable fitness tracker that keeps you accountable for your progress. Check out some of the best options below.

1. Waterproof Fitness Tracker; $23

Elite Fitness Products

This heart rate and blood pressure tracker monitors your steps, calories, and sleep cycles from your wrist, so you’ll never forget to keep up with your progress. Unlike some comparable devices, this one is waterproof, allowing you to track your stats during the messiest, muddiest activities.

2. Posture four-Piece Mini Gym and Strength Training Kit; $45

Swedish Posture

Posture’s set of resistance bands, telescope bar, and door hook can turn just a few square feet of your home into a mini-gym. The three pieces of equipment can be easily adjusted for leg, arm, and shoulder exercises, meaning the only real limit here is your own creativity.

3. Lifetime Subscription to Live Streaming Fitness; $79

Vadym Pastukh/iStock via Getty Images Plus

You can keep your body and mind engaged with a lifetime subscription to streamed fitness content, available anytime you're ready for a workout. You won’t be limited to a particular style, with offerings like yoga, cardio, strength training, and more. You’ll also be supported with cooking shows and recipe inspirations to round out your healthy lifestyle. All you need is the internet, and maybe a glass of water.

4. Fitterclub Personal Training; $14 (One-Year Membership)

LightFieldStudios/iStock via Getty Images Plus

Personalized fitness from home is possible, even without a trainer hovering over you at the gym. Fitterclub offers personalized workout and nutrition programs based on your unique answers to their questionnaire. They’ll take it from there and set up 30-minute workout plans five days a week, which you can access online anywhere, anytime. With the current price drop, you’ll spend less money on working out in one year than you do on one box of protein bars.

5. Iron Chest Master Fitness System; $97

Ron Williams Fitness

This exercise system works with the muscle and joint structure of your body to increase strength while you build chest, shoulders, triceps, upper back, and ab muscles. The equipment is simple to use, but it definitely won’t be easy on you.

6. Vortix Melo Massager; $100

Vortix

Stretching, resting, and even massaging muscles are all part of an effective workout. Get quick relief from muscle fatigue, soreness, spasms, and stiffness with this massage gun. It’s designed to be quiet on even the highest setting, and its goal is to increase blood flow and shorten muscle recovery time with vibration frequency and amplitude, making it the perfect home workout recovery companion.

If targeted, short-term plans fuel you, iBodyFit’s set of 400 online workouts and 40 diet plans might be a good fit. Pick a four-week fat burner, eight-week muscle tone, or 12-week beach body plan with ancillary diet goals and grocery lists for every choice. With lifetime access from anywhere, and support and feedback from iBodyFit’s trainers, you’ll always be equipped with a focused workout and goal.

9. Vitalis ITO Body Fat Scale; $29

Tenergy Life

You’ve heard that the scale is just a number and not to rely on it because the body is more complex than simple weight. This smart scale tracks BMI, body fat, bone and muscle mass, and even hydration to actually give you a full picture of health when you step onto it. The scale pairs with a free app to evaluate you as a gym trainer would.

10. Bandu Chair Workout System; $14

Viatek

If equipment is your barrier to entry for a home workout plan, you’ll be happy to hear that all you need is a chair with this Bandu set. You’ll get 50 different workouts with this set, and the best part is, you can see results with just eight minutes of use per day. With the lightweight equipment, easy set-up, and short time needed to see results, you can work out in a hotel room, at home, and even in your office—literally anywhere there’s a chair.

11. BandBoard Portable Home Workout Gym System; $130

Bandboard

Imagine this: four small materials that can produce over 300 exercises. This all-in-one portable gym system does just that with a few resistance bands that only require around 15 minutes for a solid workout.

12. Push-Up Machine: Home Exercise Equipment; $90

The Push Up Machine

If you’ve attempted a home workout, you’ve likely done an exercise incorrectly and suffered an awkward injury that leaves you scared to even try again. This system is built to put your body in the correct push-up position to properly work out your shoulders, chest, and core. And when you're done, it can easily slide under a bed until you're ready for your next workout.

14. Non-Slip Yoga and Pilates Towel and Bag; $23

It's All Good

Have you ever thought about how disgusting your yoga mat might be? This non-slip towel can be set on top of your mat during a workout and then tossed in the wash after for an always-clean mat to have you feeling good to your toned and clean-freak core.

15. Metalika Smart Watch with Health & Activity Tracker; $45

Electronic Avenue

In addition to playing music and sending you fitness tracking updates on demand, this wearable will also notify you whenever you get notifications from your non-fitness life, including social media updates and weather forecasts. Keep track of cumulative steps, sleep, blood pressure, and even oxygen levels, all from your wrist.

At Mental Floss, we only write about the products we love and want to share with our readers, so all products are chosen independently by our editors. Mental Floss has affiliate relationships with certain retailers and may receive a percentage of any sale made from the links on this page. Prices and availability are accurate as of the time of publication.